TSC 2010 Pre-Conference Workshop

Monday Afternoon, April 12   (2:00pm-6:00pm)  - Part 1    TCC-MOHAVE

Tuesday Morning, April 13     (9:00am-1:00pm) -  Part 2    TCC-MOHAVE

Full Day, $125

Update on microtubules and quantum biology

Jack Tuszynski, Stuart Hameroff, Anirban Bandyopadhyay, Nancy Woolf,

Travis Craddock, Satyajit Sahu

Classical and quantum information processing in microtubules and other
cytoskeletal components have been implicated in synaptic regulation, memory,
learning and consciousness. Specific physical models proposed in this
connection include classical modes of behavior (ionic conductance, excitons,
dipole coupling, C-termini dynamics, molecular automata, CaMKII
phosphorylation etc) as well as quantum modes of behavior (quantum computing,
coherence, entanglement). Centrioles regulating mitosis have also been
proposed to act as quantum optical or bioelectronic devices. Although
quantum capabilities of microtubules have been discounted, recent
discoveries of quantum coherence in warm biology, and megahertz coherence
and ballistic conductance in viable microtubules have fanned the flames of
the debate yet again. In this workshop, proponents and skeptics of
microtubule information processing at both classical and quantum levels will
present their views and latest findings. An open discussion of these issues
will undoubtedly arise.

Microtubules are the major structural components of the neuronal cytoskeleton,
and dynamically organize intra-neuronal activities. How they perform
intelligent organizational functions remains an open question. Over the past
several decades, numerous models of both classical and quantum information
processing in the cylindrical lattice structure of microtubules have been
implicated in synaptic regulation, memory, learning and consciousness.

Specific physical models proposed to mediate microtubule computation

include classical modes (ionic conductance, excitons, dipole coupling,

C-termini dynamics, molecular automata, CaMKII phosphorylation
etc) as well as quantum modes (quantum computing, coherence,
superpositionentanglement). Centrioles (mega-cylinders composed of
microtubules) regulate mitosis and are the primary components of neuronal
primary cilia, and have been proposed to act as quantum optical devices.
Although the potential for quantum processes in microtubules have been
discounted and criticized, recent discoveries of quantum coherence in warm
biology, and reports of megahertz coherence and ballistic conductance in viable
microtubules have fanned the flames of the debate yet again. In this workshop,
latest findings related to microtubule information processing at both classical
and quantum levels will present their views and latest findings. Skeptical
viewpoints will be addressed. Implications of microtubule-based information
processing will be explored.

Session 1


Jack Tuszynski
Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
Microtubule biology  - nanopores, C-termini, motors

Nancy Woolf
Laboratory for NanoNeuroscience, UCLA
Microtubules and the cytoskeleton in synaptic plasticity


Travis Craddock

Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Canada
Phosphorylation sites on tubulin -  a molecular code for memory and
consciousness?

Anirban Bandyophadyay

National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
Measuring conductance in single microtubules

Stuart Hameroff

Anesthesiology, Psychology, Consciousness Studies, University, of  Arizona
Current status of Orch OR and response to recent critical papers

Discussion



Session 2

Jack Tuszynski

Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada
Dynamic vibrations in microtubules- current status

Nancy Woolf

Laboratory for NanoNeuroscience, UCLA
Microtubules as targets/receptors for psychotherapeutic drugs

Satyajit Sahu

Postdoctoral Researcher, Advanced Nano Characterization, Advanced Probe Microscopy Group,   National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
Microtubules as the missing fourth circuit element

Anirban Bandyophadyay

National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan
Molecular nanobrains - the future of consciousness?

Stuart Hameroff

Anesthesiology, Psychology, Consciousness Studies, University, of  Arizona
Anesthesia  - a quantum effect

Discussion




---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Speakers will include:

Anirban Bandyopadhayay, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan

Stuart Hameroff, Anesthesiology, Psychology, Consciousness Studies, University. of  Arizona

Travis Craddock, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Canada

Jack Tuszynski, Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada

Nancy Woolf, Laboratory for NanoNeuroscience, UCLA

Satyajit Sahu, Postdoctoral Researcher, Advanced Nano Characterization, Advanced Probe Microscopy Group,

    National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Japan